Edge

11 Brain-Loving Foods To Boost Your Mood And Mental Clarity

It may be pink and squishy but your brain does a heck of a
lot as the control centre of your body.
What you eat has a major influence on your mood,
concentration, energy levels, ability to learn new skills and brain function in
all stages of life.

Our food for thought list will help your mind stay sharp and keep your creative juices flowing - from a cosy cuppa of matcha green
tea to beat the mental fog, to mood-boosting dark chocolate to keep your brain
‘younger’ later in life.

Matcha green tea

Matcha green tea has a just-right caffeine content to beat
the Monday blues and process information faster, without putting you at risk of
the coffee jitters.

It contains L-theanine to provide a sustained energy boost,
improved concentration and mood - keeping you focused yet calm and balancing
out the stress inducing effects of caffeine.

EGCG, a natural compound in green tea is known to boost
metabolism and brain health, assisting in the creation of new neurons to
support both short and long-term memory, as well as protecting against
cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Fatty fish

Salmon, tuna and other fatty fish are rich in omega-3
essential fatty acids (e.g. DHA) responsible for brain cell development and
maintaining healthy brain tissue. Omega-3s slow the rate of cognitive disorders
and may reduce the risk of
depression.

Fatty fish is also a source of vitamin B12. By increasing
B12 intake, those deficient in this vitamin may experience its
mood-boosting benefits, improved concentration and memory.

Get fishy by enjoying at least two servings a week.

Walnuts

Shaped like tiny brains, it’s no surprise walnuts are brain
food in a small package.

Alike with salmon, they’re loaded with DHA, an omega-3
fatty acid that supports brain health – from brain development in tiny tots to
maintaining healthy brain function in adulthood.

With almost two times more antioxidants than other nuts to
fight of disease-causing free radicals and anti-inflammatory benefits to
protect against age-related degeneration, we can safely say walnuts boost your wellbeing in a nutshell.

Dark chocolate

Chocoholics, we’ve got your back.

Dark chocolate (70% cocoa minimum) is choc-full of flavonoid antioxidants, plant-based chemicals that
increase blood flow to the brain.
They support learning, improve reaction time, short-term
memory and sharpen your mind so you can kick butt on your next round of Words with Friends. They’re also associated with reduced risk of premature brain
aging.

It’s the cocoa
content of chocolate that’s the source of its flavonoids and endorphin ('feel good' hormones) releasing power – so milk chocolate
and white chocolate won’t give you the same benefits.

Lucky the dark stuff is
so darn good.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice that has been used in India for
thousands of years, but it’s the antioxidant curcumin that gives turmeric its vibrant colour and brain-loving
benefits.

Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF that
stimulates the production of neurons (nerve cells) and the growth of new nerve
connections between brain cells.
It’s linked to elevated mood and due to its
anti-inflammatory affects, may decrease risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease.

However, curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body so a
one-off sunshine-in-a-mug session in the form of a turmeric latte probably
won’t turn you into the next Einstein, sorry!

Celery

Whether you dip it in hummus or toss it in a casserole,
celery is food for the brain. It’s high in luteolin, a flavonoid antioxidant
that helps memories stick, supports learning and improves spatial awareness, so
you’re less likely to trip over your own feet when you’re having a
dance-off.

Celery also soothes inflammation, which is a primary factor
in neurodegenerative disorders, so this hydrating vegie may keep your mind fit
in later life.

Dark green leafy
vegies

Studies suggest that consuming leafy green vegies such as
kale, spinach and collard greens can slow the decline of memory and thinking
skills to keep your brain ‘younger’ as you age.
These antioxidant-rich vegies are a source of vitamin A, C
and K, beta carotene and folate to give your brain an edge and protect it from
degeneration later in life.

Spinach is a powerhouse of plant-based iron to boost your energy and support oxygen delivery to your body and
brain, but be sure to pair it with vitamin C rich foods like capsicum, tomatoes and citrus fruits to increase its absorption.

Avocado

Avocado is rich in folate and omega-3 fatty acids to protect
against age-related degeneration. As a monosaturated fat avocados promote
healthy blood flow, lower blood pressure and increase the absorption of the
body-loving antioxidants in leafy greens.

Besides making your avos super creamy, the oleic acid in
avocados is used to synthesise myelin, a fatty substance that forms an
insulating sheath around nerve cells and allows them to communicate to your
body quickly and efficiently.

Wholegrains also boost cardiovascular health for optimal
blood flow to support body and brain function.

Blueberries

Loading up on blueberries with brekkie may keep your memory
sharp, beat off the mental fog and prevent your concentration from slipping in the afternoon. They’re
high in flavonoids, plant compounds that open blood vessels to increase blood
flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, supporting cognitive function.

Not only do they offer these short-term benefits up to 5
hours after eating them, but they’re high antioxidant profile has been known to
ward off age-related cognitive disease such as dementia and Alzheimer’s in the
long-term.

Water

Most of you is made of water and that includes your brain,
so it’s no secret just how important this essential nutrient is. Dehydration
puts excess stress on your brain, slowing blood circulation and therefore
hindering the transport of oxygen and nutrients to your noggin.